by Hanna Singh
A record turnout of senior residents enjoyed a day of educational speakers, workshops, giveaways and camaraderie at the 18th Annual Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Senior Expo. The day gave senior citizens a chance to learn about important topics while enjoying fun entertainment, food and prizes.
At the event, seniors visited the Ruston Sports Complex alongside family members and caretakers. Speakers addressed important topics including Medicare and Medicaid use, wellness and life balance, life skills, funeral plannings, fraud awareness and more. Attendees were provided with a continental breakfast and those 55 and older were able to enter a drawing for door prizes. Ruston resident, Barry Morales, shared his experience at the event.
“I was very impressed with the Senior Expo,” Morales said. “It was well organized and planned out, and the turnout was amazing. I appreciate all that the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office did to assist our seniors here in Lincoln Parish. I look forward to next year’s expo.”
The event recorded its highest attendance for both seniors and vendors yet. Seniors and their families had the opportunity to visit over 90 vendor booths with services ranging from hospitals and health to financial services.
Event organizer and Lincoln Parish Sherriff’s Office Sgt. Iris Winston highlighted what makes the event so important for seniors in the community and for the sheriff’s office.
“The senior expo is so important for our seniors to learn about different services that are available here locally,” Winston said. “They have an opportunity to socialize with family and friends that they may not have seen in a while and it gives the Sheriff’s an opportunity to connect with our citizens. We want our citizens to know that we are here for them not only in emergency situations, but also in everyday life.”
Officers attended the event to socialize with and educate attendees. From offering access to essential resources and providing important informational speakers to providing a meal and prizes, the sheriff’s office intended to give senior citizens a day to feel recognized. They organized the event and offered seniors the opportunity to get to know the local law enforcement.
Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Landon Hunt touched on the role of the seniors in our community and thanked a specific organizer.
“Our seniors are the backbone of this community,” Hunt said. “They have given so much to all of us, and this is our small way of giving back. We are so grateful for Sgt. Iris Winston. She is the only reason this event comes together each year. Iris puts in hundreds of hours behind the scenes, and her dedication shows as the event continues to grow year after year.”
With the annual senior expo, the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office recognizes an important group of people in our community that often goes unnoticed. Seniors deserve to have access to resources and recognition for their needs. The senior expo continues to support our senior residents and provides them with helpful opportunities each year.
